POWER OF PRAYER

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kindsof prayers and requests.With this in mind, bealert and always keep on praying for all theSaints. - Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

How remarkable it is that the only thing that thedisciples asked Jesus to teach them how to dowas to pray. The references are many to Jesus'constant dependence on prayer. He prayed alltimes of day and night.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,Jesus got up, left the house and went off to asolitary place, where he prayed - Mark 1:31

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while hedismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he wentup on a mountainside to pray. - Mark 6:45-46

But they were furious and began to discuss withone another what they might do to Jesus. Oneof those days Jesus went out to a mountainsideto pray, and spent the night praying to God. - Luke 6:11-12Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faithmay not fail. - Luke 22:31-32

Prayer is a form of communication between Godand man and between man and God. The person whoprays to God becomes transparent to himself, morethan at any other time, and his spirit may have a suddenyearning and hunger for God. Spending time in prayeris a way of maintaining our relationship with Godand making us more aware of God's presence.Prayer changes things, conditions and circumstances,but more importantly, it changes the person who prays.It is important that we SAY aloud our prayers. Jesusprayed aloud. When one of Jesus' disciples askedhim to teach them how to pray, he said to them,When you pray SAY: - Luke 11:1-2

Pray in the spirit. We pray in the spirit when weexperience God's presence. That alone is sufficientfor praying to God. God answers all prayers.Sometimes He says "Not now." Sometimes He says"Yes." Sometimes He says "No." Even Jesusgot a "no" from God when he prayed on the Cross.Whatever God's answer is, it is best at that time.But keep on praying. Know that God has notfinished with you yet; neither should you chooseto be finished with God or praying.